(Some of these are provided as PDF files, if you have trouble reading these, Adobe® Acrobat® Reader is a Free Download.)

Single Topic:

General Specifications-Appendix 10, 1936 describes the Nomenclature of decks, Numbering of watertight compartments and Labeling used aboard vessels of the U.S. Navy. Included are three small amendments made in 1947, 1948 and 1949.

Handbook of Damage Control, NAVPERS 16191, 1945, was created near the end of World War II and represents best practices in WW II damage control.

24 Inch Searchlight, Model 24-G-20, Spec 17S21, 1944. This covers a typical 24 inch U.S.N. Navy carbon arc searchlight of WW II. These were used for signaling, visual search, navigation and even fire control. They were installed on almost every surface ship.

Submarine Medicine Practice, 1956. This was prepared for the training and orientation of medical personnel to the problems associated with diving and submarine life. It provides an insight into the life aboard submarines.

Medical Study of the Experiences of Submariners as Recorded in 1,471 Submarine Patrol Reports in World War II, 1949. duff.pdf (30.2 MB PDF).

History of Submarine Medicine in WW II, 1947. This includes many stories, typical medical supplies, as well as history. shilling.pdf (52 MB PDF).

Submarine Periscope Type 2E, NAVSHIPS 0324-048-6000, 1962. Describes the type 2E attack periscope used during the Cold War. Many of these have been donated to museums for display periscopes. periscope-2e.pdf (6.4 MB).

Standard Organization Book for 2100-Ton Destroyers, 1943. This describes the organization of the personnel and standard procedures on a WW II destroyer. Among the many tables there are details that provide insight in to the life aboard and operation of a destroyer.

Fire Control Fundamentals, NAVPERS 91900, 1953, is an introduction to mechanical computing gun fire control. The basic fire control principles of gun against a surface target are then applied to the control of Anti-aircraft guns, Antisubmarine Weapons, Torpedoes, Rockets and Guided Missiles.

U.S. Navy Projectiles and Fuzes, 1945, is a catalog of U.S.N. projectiles and fuzes. This document was removed from the web site in Mar 2010 at the request of the USN, NHHC Washington, DC for classification review. If you are an EOD technician and need ordnance data, the US military Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Support Center, EODTSC@navy.mil supports EOD operations worldwide 24/7.

British Bombs and Fuzes, 1944, is a catalog of British, bombs, fuzes, rockets, demolition charges, etc. from WW II. This document was removed from the web site in Mar 2010 at the request of the USN NHHC for classification review.

Mine Disposal Handbook, 1945, was created by the U.S. Navy Bomb Disposal School near the end of WW II. It covers all forms of underwater ordnance, not just mines.

Surface Pyrotechnics and Projectors, Ordnance Pamphlet 1177, 1945, describes modified fireworks used by surface ships, submarines and merchant ships. These are used for used for signaling, marking, or illuminating objects.

B.R. 1534, Handbook on Minor Fire Control Instruments, 1946, describes the Vickers Range Clock, Dumaresq, Coventry Range Clock, Portable Fire Control Tray, Range Transmitter and Spotting Box, Deflection Transmitter and Spotting Box. Some of these classic British instruments were kept in use over 50 years.

The Gunnery Pocket Book, B.R. 224/45, 1945. This manual represents the peak of British WW II gunnery. Examples included are taken from the six-inch cruiser of the Mauritius class, a Dido class cruiser, and a typical destroyer.

Basic Fire Control Mechanisms, OP 1140, 1944, describes the mechanical computing elements used in U.S. Navy fire control systems. These components are the building blocks of some of the most successful analog mechanical computers ever built. (in PDF)

The Howell Torpedo, 14.2 Inches, Mark I., 1896, is a manual for the first torpedo to be produced in quantity by the U.S. Navy. From 1890-1896 it was used as an antisurface ship torpedo fired from battleships and torpedo-boats.

Unit Course in Marine Electricity, 1942. Museum ships stabilizing or restoring their electrical systems will appreciate many parts of the manual. Items such as the proper ways of working with armored cable, lacing, etc. are included.

Introduction to Radio, 1946. An introduction to electronics and naval radio. It covers basic tube electronics in the beginning, then explains the basic operating instructions for typical WW II radios.

Notes on Servicing Radio and Sound Equipment, 1942, is a training manual that introduces the art of tube radio and sound equipment repair. This included both receivers and transmitters, and the motor generators they use.

Radar Operator's Manual, 1945. This is a WW II radar operator's manual. It covers the most typical radars of WW II.

Naval Sonar, 1953. This manual describes the peak of WW II US sonar technology with a hint of the coming Cold War innovations.

Arma Gyro-compass Mark 7, Mod. 4, 1943, is a service manual for the preferred U.S. submarine gyro-compass of WW II. This was also used on small surface ships that had fire control, but only one gyro. It is very similar to the Arma Mk 8 Gyro-compass used on larger CA, BB, and CVs.

Gyro-compass Mark XIV, Mod. 1, 17-1400D, 1944, is a service manual for the most widely built gyro of WW II. This gyro was used on pretty much any U.S. ship that did not have automated fire control.

Visual Call Sign, DNC 4(A), 1945, is a U.S. Navy list of visual (as compared to radio) call signs used during WW II.

Combat Information Center Magazine, 1944-1945. A monthly magazine created during WW II to spread the best practices in the rapidly developing art of integrating information (particularly radar) for command and control in U.S. Navy ships.

Naval Ships' Technical Manual (NSTM):
We have requested the release of more of these from the U.S. Navy. NOTE THAT THESE MAY BE OUT OF DATE. Use them for museum interpretation and background information, but do not directly follow them without checking more current and possibly safer references.

Relatively Modern Standards and References
NOTE THAT THESE MAY BE OUT OF DATE. Use them for museum interpretation and background information, but do not directly follow them without checking more current and possibly safer references.

Relatively Modern Training Courses
Although in training course format, these also serve as reference material in their topics. NOTE THAT THESE MAY BE OUT OF DATE. Use them for museum interpretation and background information, but do not directly follow them without checking more current and possibly safer references.